Process of manufacturing artificial coal.



UNIE

JOHN LEACH, OF SHEPPTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING ARTIFICIAL COAL.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN Lnaorr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sheppton, in the county of Schuylkill and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Manufacturing Artificial Coal; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a process of manufacturing artificial coal from the refuse ores obtained in screening ordinary coal such as that employed for heating purposes, particularly that species of refuse known as bony rock, which is obtainable in any mining district and is well known among the miners and other persons who handle newly mined coal.

In the treatment of coal fresh from the mines it is customary to crush the lump coal and then pass the coal of various sizes through the requisite screen to obtain coal of the standard or desired sizes, such as furnace, stove or other like well known sizes. There is always remaining, however, a species of refuse which has hitherto been of practically no value for the reason that it would not consistently burn and could not be employed in manufacturing other useful ingredients or compounds.

One object of my invention is to provide means whereby this refuse may be turned to practical use and may obtain a monetary value.

Another object of my invention is to provide simple and inexpensive means whereby such refuse may be converted into a substitute for ordinary coal.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive means whereby through the medium of an inexpensive ingredient this refuse may be converted into a highly efficient and inflammable material.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will also be apparent from the following description.

In the manufacture of my artificial fuel, I wash the refuse, such as bony rock, to

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 20, 1910.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

Serial No. 567,958.

cleanse the same from impurities and while this refuse is in a wet or moistened state I apply thereto in the proper proportions white potash, technically known as potassium hydroxid (KOH), preferably in solution with water. This potassium hydroxid is sprinkled or otherwise applied to the ref- 7 use and mixes or combines with said refuse to form an inflammable substance which has been found to contain properties not possessed by the bony rock before such treatment, and which is adaptable for the same uses as ordinary coal. This substitute coal or artificial fuel may be utilized in stoves of small sizes, or in large furnaces for manufacturing purposes or for driving locomotives or other vehicles.

The quantities of my invention which I have hitherto used to form profitable and highly inflammable artificial fuel have been approximately ten to fourteen pounds of white potash to a ton of the bony rock refuse. It is believed that the fuel could be obtained with the use of ten pounds of potassium hydroxid with the ordinary bony rock, while for refuse which has a harder or softer composition may be required more or less of the potassium hydroxid, according to theconstitution of the refuse.

lVhile this process has been especially described as applicable to bony rock, so called, it is to be understood that I could apply the potassium hydroxid to other well known refuse which has been discovered in other portions of the country in mines of bituminous or anthracite coals.

It seems that the potassium hydroxid is more efficient than either sodium or calcium salts or oxids. I find that the ashes which result when the potassium hydroxid is used are not apt to clinker, i. 6., they pass through the grate freely and in powdery conditions. Stoking makes them fall freely from the burning fuel. It seems that potassium hydroxid will not unite so readily with any silica which may be present as soda or perhaps lime, 2'. e., will not sinter with the silica present. I find also that the proportion of potassium hydroxid cannot be varied greatly without diminishing its effectiveness. Just why this is I am not prepared to state.

I claim, my hand in presence of two subscribing Wit- The process of manufacturing artificial nesses. fuel consisting in treating bony rock with a JOHN, LE A011 Water solution of potassium hydroxid in the 5 proportions of approximately ten pounds of Witnesses:

potassium hydroxid to a ton of bony rock. S. C. HILL,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set WV. F. KELLOGG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by adclressing the Gommissioner of Patents. Washington, .D. G. 

